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Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator Trailer Lights May Fail
medium How serious is it? About this label
Trailer tail lights that don't work make it harder for other drivers to see the trailer, which increases the risk of a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.
Key facts
| NHTSA campaign number | 25V543000 |
|---|---|
| Reported to NHTSA | Aug 22, 2025 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Part affected | Exterior Lighting:tail Lights |
| Vehicles covered | 2 model/year combinations, model years 2025 |
| Do-not-drive advisory | No |
| Park-outside advisory | No |
| Repair | Free at any franchised dealer |
What's wrong, in plain English
Some Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles have a body control module that was not manufactured correctly. When you tow a trailer, this problem can cause the trailer's tail lights to fail to turn on the way they should. Because these lights are not working properly, the vehicle does not meet federal safety standards for lights and reflective equipment. This mainly affects visibility for the trailer being towed behind the vehicle.
What you should do
2. Contact a Ford dealer, or call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
3. The repair - replacing or checking the body control module - is free.
Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?
Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 25V543000. More in how recalls work.
Affected vehicles (2)
Who to contact
Ford — official Ford recall lookup
Customer service: 1-866-436-7332
Lincoln — official Lincoln recall lookup
Customer service: 1-866-436-7332
The bigger picture
- Ford Exterior Lighting Recalls Involve False Brake Signals and Failures · all 27 Ford recalls in this area
- Lincoln Exterior Lighting Recalls Explain Headlight and Rear Light Failures · all 6 Lincoln recalls in this area
Other Ford Explorer recalls
- Jul 21, 2026Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator Seats May Reclinemedium
- Jul 14, 2026Ford Explorer Roof Rail Covers May Detachhigh
- Jul 14, 2026Ford, Lincoln Second-Row Seats May Shift Unexpectedlyhigh
- Jun 24, 2026Ford, Lincoln SUVs: Transmission Park System May Failhigh
- Jun 9, 2026Ford Explorer Park System May Fail, Rollaway Riskhigh
- May 27, 2026Ford Explorer Engine May Fail Suddenlyhigh
Official notice
- Component
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
- Summary
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer and Aviator vehicles. When towing a trailer, the tail lights on the trailer may fail to illuminate due to an improperly manufactured body control module. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Safety risk
- Trailer tail lights that do not illuminate as intended can reduce visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the body control module C on vehicles with less than 9,000 miles. For vehicles over 9,000 miles, dealers will perform a functional check on the body control module C and replace it as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Aviator 2025 owner notification letters were mailed October 13, 2025. Explorer 2025 owner letters were mailed November 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C42.
Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.